In November 2024, NūMove made its debut at PACK EXPO International in Chicago, a significant event in the packaging industry. The show brought together 48,000 attendees and 2,700 exhibitors. The team also attended several presentations, gathering key industry insights as listed below.
At NūMove’s booth, we featured live mixed palletizing demonstrations, which turned out to be a major highlight! We performed more than 20 orders, each selected by attendees, showcasing the efficiency and versatility of our newest robotic palletizer — NūBotik MixPal. The audience’s engagement and positive feedback reinforced our belief in the impact and necessity of our innovations.
1. Rise of Robot Sales Beyond the Automotive Industry
A significant trend observed in 2023 was the diversification of robot sales in North America. Half of these sales were made to non-automotive companies. This shift indicates a growing adoption of automation across various sectors beyond the traditional automotive industry. It highlights the increasing reliance on robotic solutions in diverse applications.
2. Surge in Food and Consumer Goods Robot Sales
The first nine months of 2024 saw a remarkable 60% increase in robot sales within the Food and Consumer Goods industries. This surge underscores the critical role of automation in enhancing productivity, ensuring efficiency, and addressing labor shortages in these essential sectors.
3. Labor Shortage Challenges
The labor shortage continues to be a pressing issue for many manufacturers and distribution centers. The presentations emphasized the importance of integrating automation to mitigate these challenges, maintain operational continuity, and meet increasing demand without compromising on quality or delivery timelines.
4. Evaluating Cost of Inaction (COI)
While evaluating the Return on Investment (ROI) for potential automation projects is essential, the discussions also highlighted the importance of considering the Cost of Inaction (COI). Ignoring automation investments can lead to missed opportunities, reduced competitiveness, and increased operational costs, making COI a critical factor in decision-making processes.
5. Packaging Machinery Market Growth
The global market for packaging machinery is expected to grow by 6% per year until 2027. This consistent growth trajectory reflects the steady demand for advanced packaging solutions, driven by evolving consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and the need for sustainable practices.
6. Growth of Robotic and Automated Palletizers
Similarly, the market for robotic and automated palletizers is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6% until 2027. This growth is fueled by the increasing need for efficient, reliable, and scalable palletizing solutions that can adapt to various operational demands and product specifications.
Overall, PACK EXPO 2024 was a resounding success for NūMove. The event not only provided us with a platform to showcase our cutting-edge technologies but also offered invaluable insights into the current and future state of the packaging industry.
Despite the extensive and fruitful experience, there was one notable regret—we didn’t get the chance to taste Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza! This only gives us more reason to look forward to future visits to this vibrant city.
In conclusion, we found the event to be a great success, gaining valuable insights and connections for future projects. We are excited to continue building on this momentum, fostering new partnerships, and contributing to the advancements in packaging automation.
We would like to thank everyone who visited our booth and participated in our demos, and we look forward to seeing you at future events.